June 8th, a little past 1 o’clock in the afternoon. A car pulls over outside a fancy restaurant in the Minato Ward of Tokyo under perfectly clear skies — a peaceful lull between the constant showers of the rainy season. Stepping outside the car is Tsunku♂ (47) and his wife Kanako (35). Tsunku♂ is wearing a scarf around his neck along with a black T-shirt and vest, and his wife a black short-sleeve shirt — quite the stylish-looking couple indeed.

Having gotten married in 2006, these two now have twins who are nearly 8 years old, as well as a 5-year-old daughter. However, their three children weren’t there with them on that day. Why? Because this day marked the 10th wedding anniversary for the couple. Moreover, this day was special for the two in other ways, too.

As you might know, Tsunku♂ had his vocal cords removed in October 2014. He lost his voice — often called the “life” of a singer. His biggest supporter during the year and eight months that followed has been none other than his wife, Kanako.

“While she was always good at cooking to begin with, Kanako became intensely focused on cooking only the healthiest recipes for her husband after he was diagnosed with cancer. Tsunku♂, too, in consideration for her wife’s expectations, changed his eating habits. While he used to be a fan of meat-heavy foods, he stopped eating out entirely, concentrating instead on improving his health and eating only healthy foods prepared by his wife.” (Source: anonymous sports magazine reporter)

This important wedding anniversary for the husband and wife united in their struggle must have also been a very emotional one. On this day, they were led to an outdoor terrace table on the street. After they’d toasted with champagne, some steaks were brought to their table. Upon savoring his first mouthful, there was an involuntary smile that appeared on Tsunku♂’s face.

In the next moment, Tsunku♂ leaned over to his wife and whispered something into her ear! Although he had been known to use LINE and other written methods to communicate after the removal of his vocal cords, he had now become able to communicate with his wife without any need for these tools.

“Tsunku♂ has been training heavily to speak using a portion of his esophagus — a method called “esophageal speech.” It took him considerable effort to learn this new way of vocalizing, but from what I’ve been told, he never complained even once — he just kept on trying his best. As a result of his hard work, he apparently now communicates with his wife entirely without the help of any writing. Tsunku♂ was happy to reclaim the “voice” he had previously lost.” (Source: anonymous music industry insider)

Afterwards, Tsunku♂ and his wife continued their friendly conversation over glasses of wine. As they did, their matching wedding rings could be seen sparkling. After some final desserts, their two-hour “wedding date” had finished. They got into their company car that drove them back to their house where their children awaited them. Those “whispers of love” Tsunku♂ delivered on that terrace — they were without a shadow of a doubt words of gratitude to his beloved wife.

14: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 07:59:18.98 0
There were already reports from quite a while back that he was able to speak again.

15: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:02:31.80 0
Yeah, but at first he could only give very short answers to questions and stuff. I think it’s pretty amazing that he can now hold proper conversations with this method.

23: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:06:54.58 0
Is it just me or was he crazy fast in grasping the basics of this new method?

37: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:11:02.88 0
The day of his complete revival is close.

57: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:15:46.86 0>>48
Really? I guess there are people like that out there, too, then. For the most part, users of the method sound kind of strange. Maybe it gets better with prolonged practice.

56: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:15:43.36 0
If you really keep at it and reach very high levels of competency, it doesn’t sound strange at all.

50: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:14:06.22 0
If it’s Teranya though, I feel like he’s going to send us a message using this new way of speech.

58: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:16:08.36 0>>50
He’s said before on TV that he won’t — he just doesn’t think it’s very rock’n’roll. Though perhaps he might if he practices it to the point where it just sounds next to natural.

1. 名無しプロジェクト 2016年06月15日 14:09 ID:JLM.Uw7U0
Here’s to hoping for the resurrection of TsunClub.

55: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:15:39.22 0I don’t care if it sounds like burping or whatever the hell. Speak to us, Terada.

95: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 08:44:22.57 0Tsunku, I’m sorry I ever said you sounded annoying in “Munasawagi Scarlet.”
Today I’d give anything to have you in their songs again.

123: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 09:12:52.42 0
This is great news.

124: 名無し募集中。。。 2016/06/15(水) 09:14:47.35 0I’m so glad.

Henkka: Well, what can I say? Tsunku♂ is but a man of his word.

Today's papers report that Tsunku has begun rehabilitation to become able to speak using his esophagus; has no intention of using a machine.

I hope he does speak in public again. If he speaks as well as the guy in the sample video, it wouldn’t be bad at all. It would be kind of a relief to people that were worried about him. And to be honest, his voice had gotten so raspy the last year before his surgery, it wouldn’t be THAT much different. He should totally do it.

that’s amazing! Tsunku can make everything sound like rock’n’roll ^^ to be honest… I wasn’t expecting to see him in public again except for various shows where he uses a computer… but that’s not the way Tsunku does things… he always finds solutions! I’m so happy for him and his family…

He does still write songs for Momusu. The Vision and Tokyo to Iu are Tsunku. And on every single last year he wrote at least two of the songs on the triple a’s (Seishun Kozo, Yuugure, Oh My wish, Sukatto, Tsumetai, Endless Sky, and One and Only). He’s now labeled as Momusu’s “sound producer”.

They’re the only group he still writes for, except Juice=Juice’s last single had Karada, written by Tsunku.